Hi Jules,

Thanks for you nice reply. Me and Mrs B both had a nice treat first thing this morning while having breakfast. I just happened to look out of our kitchen window (Our row of houses are built back to front with the kitchen at the front of the house) and there in the cherry tree was a woodpecker sorting out his breakfast. Even though I have lived in the countryside most of my life, this was the closest I had ever seen one. He was there for at least ten minutes and we were both thrilled to see him so close. I was going to get my camera but we have Venetian blinds and I knew if we tried to lift them up he would be gone in a flash.

Hope you had a good evening at bingo last night perhaps even with a win to fund your trip to London.  Sorry to hear you had a frustrating day at work on Thursday.  Most employers seem to operate on a minimum of staff these days so if just one person is off, it puts so much pressure on everyone else.

My young grandson had his usual greeting for me, "Hello old man", before asking for his stories. My granddaughter proudly showed me her three latest gold medals while my middle grandson told me he got an award for his maths.

I intend to got out to my garage this afternoon and get a bit more wood-turning done. So will get told off later when I come in and one or two wood shavings appear on the floor. I try telling Mrs B that they are quality hardwood shavings but this doesn't appear to have any affect for I still get told off !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next Saturday we have our annual wood-club show / exhibition / competition and we set everything up on the Friday evening. I do have a lot of banter with the other club members and it's all good fun. Sometimes the odd label appears on someone's stand which reads, "DESIGNER FIREWOOD AVAILABLE HERE", not that I have anything to do with it you understand

Anyway hope you enjoy the weekend take care, Best wishes to you and your family, Brian

Hi Brian

How lovely to witness the woodpecker so close by.  I live in suburbia though we have woods within half hour walk.  Its been a good few years since we have a green woodpecker on one of our feeders and like you I was spellbound; so beautiful.

The grandchildren have being doing well in their activities and how proud all the family must be.  Lovely to hear all about it.

I have a way of getting Mrs B  on side re those quality wood shavings - place them in a suitable container and sprinkle with a pot pourri essence.  I have a beautiful natural wooden bowl (birthday gift this year) and have vanilla pot pourri surrounding a short pillar candle (soon to be swapped for Christmas scented oil (could be ginger or cranberry)). A task for the grandchildren (collect some pine cones to compliment the 'shavings' and there you have a naturally made gift!! ).

I am sure your Wood Club members love the 'prankster' in their group and hope this year's event goes well.  Its lovely when people with like interests can get together and enjoy themselves.

Pleased to say both hubby and I had a good night's sleep last night and I was very surprised to see it was past 7 a.m. when I got up!!  Have done all the preparation for our meal this evening and have the fires blazing (my sister in law feels the cold and we do not have central heating).  Hubby ate breakfast and is now horizontal snoozing in front of the fire so will have to wake him for GP qualifying later.

Wish you and the family a peaceful weekend and week ahead and hope to chat again soon.Jules x

Hi Annabel

Just a quick response so that you know I have picked up your reply.  Love the idea of the furry hat and yes with the current cold spell am sure it will be well used.  Nice to hear you will be enjoying some family time with your daughter and family soon. Bet you can't wait to get some more cuddles.  We are just awaiting arrival of hubby's sister who is coming to dinner and so we will be able to catch up with all her news and find out how we can help with the forthcoming Christmas get-together.  Usually we take a few  bottles with us as we stay for 2/3 days and there will be 11 of us altogether (though baby will have to make do with milk ).  Do hope your son soon finds a new position. Have been there in the past with both hubby, son and son in law and its not an easy time.

Hope you have a lovely weekend and we can compare notes about our Tuesday outings later in the week.  Take care, hugs Jules x

Hi Jules,

Thanks for the idea about the wood-shavings. I will turn Mrs B a bowl with a raised centrepeice, complete with drip tray where I can put a large candle and the wood-shavings can be used to fill the bowl. I already have some pine cones where I have drilled a small hole on the base where I have inserted a small bit of bamboo.

I have turned a dozen light cord pulls in about an hour this afternoon in different timbers. Photo attached. Really enjoyed myself doing this and will do some wooden key rings tomorow, (I buy the metal rings )

I do envy you your open fire Jules. We have central heating but you cant beat an open fire at the end of the day.

Do enjoy yourself tonight, best wishes Brian.

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Hi Mickied,

How are you doing?  I will be thinking of you on Wednesday, which I am sure will be a difficult day for you.  This time of year seems to make everything seem worse some how.  After an emotional week I am feeling somewhat better today - so strange how our emotions go.  Wishing you a peaceful weekend.  Hope xx

Hi Brian,

Just popped up to say I love the wooden light pulls.  Are you busy making more this weekend?  Hope x

Hi Hope,

Yes I hope to turn some more and also some key rings and a couple of free standing mantle clocks.

I wish you a happy weekend Brian,

Morning Jules,

How are you?  I've read on other sites that you've been feeling a bit low lately and have noticed that you haven't been on your own site of late.  I hope you are OK and that your grandson's party on Saturday will help to cheer you up.  I think this time of the year has a big impact on all of us dealing with our problems, but don't forget we are all here for support.  Take care.  Hope xx

Hi Brian

Am so sorry for some reason seem to have missed your post.  The bowl you plan to turn for Mrs B sounds lovely and the photo you attached shows how good you are at 'turning' out your wooden pieces.  I am sure its gives  you many hours of pleasure.  I tend to be the ideas person but am hopeless on the practical side of things.

We had a lovely evening on Saturday with hubby's sister coming late afternoon and staying till around 11.  Dinner went okay (not so much stress attached to cooking for 3!!).  Saw family too on Sunday for a couple of hours and baby is doing well.  Eldest grandson is 5 this Friday (party on Sunday) and continuing to be a loveable imp.

Today as its my day off and my friend from work has a day's holiday we are going out for the day and plan on enjoying a few coffees and a leisurely lunch.  She decided that after a low few days last week I needed to be de-stressed and this was her suggestion - I am so looking forward to it. Just awaiting the call to say she is on her way and  will meet her on the train (she will text which carriage she is in!!!).  Busy weekend ahead as we have been invited to see friend's new house in Buckinghamshire on Saturday and I am so pleased hubby feels able to say yes (other friends are driving us which makes it more restful).

Well its pretty cold this morning but lovely and sunny so will wrap up and walk fast.

Take care and have a peaceful day.  Jules x